Iontophoresis

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Chapter 40 Iontophoresis

OVERVIEW.

Iontophoresis is the use of electrical current to transcutaneously deliver ions into the body.¹ The issues below relate specifically to iontophoresis. Because iontophoresis uses electric currents, electrical stimulation concerns also apply^2,³ (also see Electrical stimulation).

SUMMARY: CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PRECAUTIONS.

Six sources cited a total of 18 concerns for iontophoresis. Concerns ranged from one to eight per source with a physical therapist citing the largest number and a physical therapist/athletic trainer citing the fewest. The largest proportion of concerns was procedural (60%). The most frequently cited concern was substance-related allergies.

SUMMARY: ADVERSE EVENTS.

Health devices ⁴ reports both burns and shocks occurring during iontophoresis treatment.

G00-G99 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

L00-L99 DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE

S00-T98 INJURY, POISONING, AND CERTAIN OTHER CONSEQUENCES OF EXTERNAL CAUSES

Y70-Y82 MEDICAL DEVICES

PROCEDURAL CONCERNS

ADVERSE EVENTS

1 Cameron MH. Physical agents in rehabilitation: from research to practice. St. Louis: Saunders, 2003.

2 Mehreteab TA, Holland T. Iontophoresis. In: Hecox B, Mehreteab TA, Weisberg J, et al, editors. Integrating physical agents in rehabilitation. Upper Saddle River (NJ): Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006.

3 Cummings J. Iontophoresis. In Nelson RM, Currier DP, editors: Clinical electrotherapy, ed 2, Norwalk (CT): Appleton & Lange, 1991.

4 Anonymous. Lesions and shocks during iontophoresis. Health Dev. 1997;26(3):123-125.

5 Ciccone CD. Iontophoresis. In Robinson AJ, Snyder-Mackler L, editors: Clinical electrophysiology: electrotherapy and electrophysiologic testing, ed 2, Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1995.

6 Kahn J. Principles and practice of electrotherapy, ed 4. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

7 Prentice WE. Therapeutic modalities for physical therapists, ed 2. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002.

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